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Forestry Policy

Forests play an essential role in supporting human and environmental health, influencing air and water quality, biodiversity, climate stability, and the wellbeing of communities. CVS Health uses forest-derived materials throughout our business: from the paper products we sell and the packaging around them, to the cardboard boxes that move medicines through our supply chain and to patients, and of course, to the retail receipts that have long delivered lengthy value to customers.

This policy outlines our efforts to support the responsible management of forest-derived materials across our enterprise and in collaboration with suppliers. As part of our Healthy 2030 impact strategy, which encompasses our Healthy Planet commitments, we work to minimize our reliance on high impact forest resources, advance responsible sourcing practices, and reduce paper use through digital engagement wherever feasible.

Scope

This policy applies to all CVS Health business segments that procure forest‑derived materials. This includes, but is not limited to, Store Brand products and their packaging.

Our approach to forestry impacts

At CVS Health, our approach to managing forest‑derived materials focuses on the areas where we can influence sourcing and material decisions. Because most forest‑related impacts occur upstream in supply chains, our actions center on how we engage suppliers, make procurement decisions, and reduce our overall use of forest‑derived materials across the enterprise. We also support sourcing practices that respect people and communities and align with our Human Rights Policy.

We do this by:

  • Communicating about our strategy and expectations with suppliers, particularly where we can impact Store Brand products and packaging. This includes working with suppliers to align with the commitments in our Healthy 2030 impact strategy, encouraging the use of recycled content or credible certification systems such as FSC, SFI, or PEFC where feasible, and reinforcing expectations for responsibly sourced palm‑oil–derived ingredients. Where relevant, suppliers may be asked to provide documentation supporting claims about recycled content or certification.
  • Encouraging responsible material choices, recognizing that influence varies across product categories. We support suppliers in considering recycled content, certified materials, and lower‑impact alternatives when appropriate for their products.
  • Reducing reliance on forest‑derived materials by expanding digital engagement options – such as digital receipts and electronic customer and member communications – and promoting practices that reduce paper use where appropriate.
  • Aligning this work with our Healthy Planet commitments to ensure our material‑related efforts support our broader environmental goals. Learn more in our most recent Impact Report.

We disclose progress related to all of these efforts annually in our Healthy 2030 Impact Report.

Through this approach, CVS Health helps reduce demand for forest‑derived materials, support responsible sourcing, and advance the use of less paper where appropriate — helping to avoid deforestation and conversion risks in our value chain.

Oversight of this policy lies with the office of the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and is reviewed on an annual basis.